[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E11]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E11]]
      INTRODUCTION OF THE MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PETER HOEKSTRA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 2003

  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to 
reauthorize federal assistance to museums and libraries through fiscal 
year 2009. The Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 maintains the 
modest but essential federal support for museums and libraries across 
the country; authorizes funds for the one federal agency--the Institute 
of Museum and Library Services--devoted exclusively to museums and 
libraries; and encourages model cooperation between museums and 
libraries.
  Last Congress, the Committee on Education and the Workforce reported 
H.R. 3784, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2002. That bill had 
94 cosponsors, was supported by the Administration, and was endorsed by 
the American Library Association, the Chief Officers of State Library 
Agencies and the American Association of Museums.
  The Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 makes several 
modifications to current law to streamline and strengthen museum and 
library services, and will help build on the bipartisan progress made 
by the Committee during the 107th Congress.
  Generally, this legislation authorizes the federal library and 
museums program under the Institute of Museum and Library Services. 
Specifically, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003: Requires the 
Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services to establish 
procedural standards for making grants available to museums and 
libraries (ensuring that the criteria are consistent with the statutory 
purposes); Prohibits projects that are determined to be obscene from 
receiving funding; Ensures that library activities are coordinated with 
activities under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001; Consolidates 
museum and library advisory board activities under a single statute; 
Authorizes the IMLS Director to issue National Awards for Library 
Service and National Awards for Museum Service; and Ensures that 
administrative funds are also used to conduct annual analyses of the 
impact of museum and library services to evaluate and identify needs 
and trends of services provided under funded programs.
  The Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 makes common sense 
reforms to authorized museum and library activities, includes 
provisions important to Members on both sides of the aisle and 
reauthorizes a program that should be supported by the Congress.
  I hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle cosponsor the 
Museum and Library Services Act of 2003. 1 look forward to completing 
this legislation this Congress so we can ensure that our nation's 
museums and libraries are getting the best assistance we are able to 
provide from the federal level.

                          ____________________